Control apparatus



March '26; 1940.

FIG. I. n

.R. P. HAWKINS I CONTROL APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14. 1936'- 3 Sheeis-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

" "mcHAao RHAWKINS v ATTORNEY March 1940- R. P. HAWKINS 2,194,937

comma;a APPARATUS.

Filed Dec. 14, 1936 l s Sheets-Sheet z I23 I a [I24 5 1 "6 PD PD any n32 FIG.2. figs -P I30 IN VENTOR. RICHARD P. HAWKINS ATTORNEY v R. P. HAWKINS v comm. APPARATUS Filed Dec. 14, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

A RICHARD R HAWKINS I y ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 26, l 9 40 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,194,937 CONTROL APPARATUS Richard P. Hawkins, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to The Brown Instrument Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application December 14, 1936, Serial No. 115,789

7 Claims. (CI. 28-28) 10 strength of the warp threads or yarn, or at least to increase their resistance to wear or deterioration resulting from friction and chafing to which they are subjected by the loom harness and reeds,

and which, but for such sizing will wear and 5 weaken the threads and result in the production of an inferior cloth. This is particularly true in the case of rayon yarn warp material. While the thread or yarn may be sized when in skein form, or while running from spool to spool, it is ordign narily desirable to effect the sizing operation after the warp has been wound on a warp beam, and as it is being wound from the warp beam onto a loom beam, as the final step in the'preparation of the warp for insertion in the loom.

So-called slashing machines, or slashes, for sizing the warp as it is being wound on a loom beam are known. Such a machine consists, in general, of supports for' the warp and loom beams, a pan or trough containing the sizing in: material and so-called quetchor squeezing-rolls, through and over which the warp passes from the warp beam, steam heated drying rolls or drums over which the warp passes from the squeeze rolls to the loom beam, and means. for flrotating the various rolls and beams at the proper speed and so as to maintain the proper warp tension.

For the attainment of the proper sizing results, it is practically essential, or at least highly u.- des"rable, that the proper amount of sizing material be taken up by each short longitudinal section of each warp yarn, and that the sizing operation should be uniform, also, in respect to 'the composition and condition, and particularly I 4' the temperature and viscosity, of the sizing material, and in respect to the moisture content and temperature of the yarn as it is wound on the loom beam. As will, be apparent, the amount f size carried by the yarn as it passes away from so the squeeze rolls is affected by the viscosity of the size, the duration of the period during which yarn section is in contact with the size in sizing bath, and the extent to which size is squeezed into and out of the yarn and separated from the l latter by the squeeze rolls.

The extent of yarn penetration by the sizeas it passes through the sizing-bath, depends upon the bath temperature which directly aflects the viscosity of the size. Unless the warp 'yarn is suitably cool when wound on the loom beam, and then contains moisture for suflicient evaporative cooling in the subsequent weaving operation, the

latter will result in an objectionable overheating of the yarn, and fabric formed. Too much moisture in the sized yarn is a disadvantage in the weaving operation and in the woven web.

The desirable maximum range of variation in the moisture content of the yarn at the end of the sizing operation, while different with, different yarns, is always relatively small. An excessive size content in the yarn as it leaves the squeeze rolls is objectionable not only because it.rnakes the size content of the sized yarn objectionable,

but also because it increases the steam consumption of the drying rolls required for a sufficient yarn drying action.

Specific objects of the present invention are to provide simple and efiective apparatus for maintaining uniform sizing conditions and particularly uniformity in the temperature and viscosity of the size in the sizing bath, and for continuously measuring and controlling the moisture content of the sized yarn as it is being rewound on the loom beam.

Heretofore various methods have been devised for determining the moisture content of warp and for efiecting corrective adjustments in the operation of a slasher or warp size apparatus,

1 when the moisture content is not within suitable limits, but such prior methods have been either indirect and unduly slow, or otherwise impractical, and have involved an undesirable time lag between the time at which a change in the moisture content of the moving warp occurs and the time when the necessary adjustment to correct for the change is efiected.

The above mentioned disadvantages of prior methods are avoided, and other advantages are obtained, with my improved warp sizing apparatus as a result of the inclusion therein ofmeans which I employ to maintain suitably uniform size conditions, and to measure the moisture content in the yarn as it passes from the drying rolls to the loom beam, and, on a significant departure of said moisture content from its desired value or range, to immediately effect a suitable corrective adjustment inrthe warp drying efiect of the drying rolls. That efiect'may be varied either by varying the warp speed or rate of travel, or by varying the amount of heat supplied to the drying rolls, and preferably is controlled in the last mentioned manner, since control by varying the warp rate of feed through the slashing is open to the objection that a variation in the rate of feed, varies the duration of the periods in which each short section of the warp yarn is in .the sizing bath and in contact with the squeeze trol current of suitable amplitude for control industry, of paper webs in the paper making art, and for other purposes in which the moisture content of material can be determined with advantage by measuring the electrical conductivity of the material, and are generally useful in controlling sizing baths or other liquid baths in respect to bath volume. temperature, and viscosity.

\ The various features of novelty which characterize my invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention however, its advantages and specific objects attained with it, reference should be had to the accompany drawlugs and descriptive matter in which I have illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a tie representation of a slasher, in which the moisture content of the warp is controlled by varying the amount of heat supplied to the drying rolls; 1

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of means employed in Fig. 1, in controlling the operation of the size cooker;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of means employed in Fig. 1, in controlling the temperature in the hot size storage reservoir of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a diagra tic view of the means included in the slasher for controlling the volume of sizing liquid in the sizing bath;

'Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic elevation of a slasher differing from the slasher shown in Fig, 1, in that it includes means for controlling the warp moisture by varying the warp rate of feed;

Fig. 6 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan'view of the warp feed rate control means of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 isa wiring diagram of one form of moisture measuring and. control circuit including a grid glow 'tube; and

Fig. 8 includes a wiring diagram of a measuring and control circuit alternative to that, shown in Fig. 5.

The improved apparatus for sizing, drying and controlling moisture in warp shown in Fig. 1, comprises a warp beam E, from which the warp A passes to lower and upper quetch or squeeze rolls C and C, the lower roll C being partly immersed in size bath heldin a bath container or pan D. From theupper squeeze roll C, the warp passes into contact with a plurality of drying rolls or drums E, and thence over guide rolls F, to the loom beam G, on which the warp is wound up. As shown, the. apparatus includes cooling means H, comprising a perforated cooling cylinder through which cool air under pressure is forced against the warp as it passes from the drying rolls E, to the beam G. The drying rolls are shown as rotated by a motor J, and are heated by steam supplied to their interiors through a steam supply pipe 1, including a control valve 1', and a manually adjustable valve 1 The apparatus shown in Fig. 1 necessarily includes means for controlling the warp tension, and means, including piping K as shown also in Fig. 5- for removing condensation from the drying drums, and other mechanical adjuncts which are customarily employed in such apparatus and hence; need not be illustrated and described herei in. The apparatus shown in Fig. 5 differs essentially from that shown in Fig. 1, only in that in Fig. 5, the rate of heat supply to the drying drums is maintained constant, as by means of a valve mechanismoperating to supply steam at a constant pressure to the drying drums, E, and in that the moisture content of the warp is controlled by varying the speed of warp feed, by means of a variable speed drive L, hereinafter described, between the motor J and the drums E.

The regulation of the drying action by adjustment. of the steam valve 1 of Fig. l, and by the adjustment of the variable speed drive gear L of Fig. 5, is eflected, in each case, by an electric control motorM which is controlled by an electronic moisture responsive means N including a contact roller N engaging the warp as it passes over the guide roll F adjacent the loom beam G. Prior to further reference to the moisture measuring and controlling means, the apparatus for maintaining the proper size conditions in the sizing bath will be described.

As shown in Fig. 1, the size is originally prepared in a size cooking kettle O, heated by steam supplied by a pipe IA at a rate controlled, asthe size is brought up to temperature, by a timetemperature controller P, shown in Fig. 2. The cooked size in. the kettle O is transferred from the cooking kettle O by an intermittently operating pump 0A to an elevated hot size storage reservoir Q, heated by steam supplied by a pipe l'.B, subiect to the control of a temperature controller R, shown in Fig. 3. From the storage reservoir Q, the size flows by gravity through an outlet pipe Q into a size circulating system comprising a conduit S closed on itself, and a constantly running circulating pump 8, and having a discharge branch S through which size passes to the size pan or bath container D, at a rate regulated by a controller T, shown in Fig. .4, which operates to maintain a constant size level in the pan D.- The supply of steam by-a pipe 10 to the pan D, is regulated as required to maintain the desired size bath temperature, by a controller U which may be like the above mentioned controller R. As shown, the recirculation pipe 3 is provided with other discharge branches 8*. adapted to supply sizes to additional slashers or other sizing apparatus, not shown in Fig. i.

The cooking of the size in the kettle O, is essentially a batch treating operation, and in bringing the size up to theflnal cooking temperature it is desirable that the temperature increase should be eifected in adeflnlte and prev aroma? determined time period, and with'suitable uniformity', to insure proper cooking, and the evaporationout of the batch of a definite amount of water, sofithat the consistency andwater content of the cooked size, may be determined by the water content or percentage of the initial, unheated batch mixture. The heating steam supplied to the kettle O by thepipe IAmay be injected directly into the batch, but to avoid adding condensate to the size, the'steam is pref- I erably passed into a closed heating coil within the kettle. The amountof steam supplied is controlled by a valve 1 in the-pipe IA, which is opened and closed by the controller P. 'As shown, the latter alternately opens and closes the valve 1 at predetermined intervals, gradually increasing the batch temperature until a predetermined temperature is reached. The batch is then held at said predetermined temperature for a fixed-period at the, end of which it is pumped" into the reservoir Q.

The means for gradually increasing the .batch temperature includes a, continuously running alternating current timing motor P of any suitable type, energized by alternating current sup-- ply conductors I and 2. The motor P rotates a cam shaft P through suitable speed reducing gearing. The cam shaftP carries two similar spiral edge cams P and P The latter are preferably mounted on the shaft P for relative angular adjustment, to thereby vary the relative angular positions of the radial shoulders P and P respectively, of the cams P and P". The shaft P rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2, and the shoulder P trails, or lags behind, the shoulder P more or less, de-

' pending onthe relative angular adjustment of the cams. Contact members 3 and 4 are pivoted, and gravitationally biased to bear against, or ride on, the cams P and P and are held out of engagement with one another, except during that portion of each revolution of the cam shaft P in which the contact 5 rests on a low portion of the cam Pfl'tvhile the contact 3 is still resting on a high portion of the cam P, as shown in Fig. 2. On movement of the camshaft, permitting contact 3 to drop down alongside cam shoulder P contact 3 separates from contact 4, and the contacts'3 and 4 do not re-engage until the rotation of the cam shaft again permits the The alternate engagement of contactFIjwith contacts 3 and 5 results in energization of a valve operating motor W, which may be similar to the timing motor P and which, when energized, imparts amovemerit of a half revolution to a shaft W Shaft W shown as the.armature shaft of the motor W, may well be connected to and driven by said armature shaft through speed reducing gearing. As diagrammatically shown, the shaft W carries a crank arm W link connected to the o e'ating member of the valve 1 so that the valve is closed by the half turn of the shaft W resulting from the engagement of the contact 4 with the contact 5, and is opened by the half turn of the shaft W resulting from the, engagement of the contacts 3 and 4. To interrupt theenergization of the motor at the end of each half turn of the shaft W and to provide for the following energization of the motor, on the engagement of the contact'4 with the contact 3 or 5 which it next engages, a limit switch mechanism is provided. I

The limit switch mechanism illustrated in Fig. 2, comprises a movable contact 6, in the form of an arm carried by the'shaft W and four stationary. contacts I, 8, 9, and I0 adapted to be engaged by arm 6. The contacts I and 9 are in the form of diametrically opposed arcs, each-of a little less than 180. ,The contacts 8 and III are. diametrically opposed, and each is "interposed between and spaced away from the corresponding ends of the contacts I and 9. Contacts 8 and III are electrically connected respecone terminal of the winding W the other ter-- minal of that winding being normally connected to the supply conductor 2. The contact 4 is connected to the supply conductor I, through a conductor I2, a contact V of a mercury switch V, a conductor I2a, a switch blade. I22, a conductor I2b, and a conductor I2c. The mercury switch W is pivoted for rotation at V and. is adapted to be actuated by the deflecting arm V of a thermometer V, which may well be a recording thermometer, and, as shown is an -expansible fluid thermometer, having a thermometer bulb V immersed in the size in the cooking kettle 0. While the temperature of the size is still below its final temperature the mercury energized, through a conductor I4 connecting the contacts 5 and II). The operative energize tion of either contact 8 and III starts the motor W into operation.

, The positions of the contacts 3, 4, and 6, shown in Fig. 2, arethose required'to initiate an energization of the motor W by which the valve I is moved into its open position. The energizing circuit for the motor W then closed, includes supply conductor I, conductor I2c, conductor I2b, switch I22, conductor I2a," conductor I2, switch V contact 4 and 3, conductor l3, contacts 8 and v6, conductor II, motor energizing winding W and sup-ply conductor 2. As the motorstarts into operation, the contact 6 moves out of engagement with the contact 8 and into engagementwith the contact 9. The energization of the motor thus initiated by the energiza tion of contact 8, continues until the contact 6 passes out of engagement with 'the contact 9 and thereby interrupts current flow through the winding W Its movement out of engagement with the contact 9,- carries the contact Ginto tively to contacts 3 and 5, and contacts I and 9- I engagement with the then deenergized contact 1.. When the contact 4 is subsequently moved into engagement with the contact 5, thereby operativelyenergi zing contact III, the motor W is energized by current flow through the circuit comprising supply conductor I, conductor I2c,

conductor I2b, conductor I2a, conductor I2,

contacts 4 and B, conductor ll, contact ll, contact i, conductor ll, winding W and supply conductor 2. The energization of the motor then eifected, and serving to close the valve 1 continues as the contact thus moved into engagement with and along the contact I, until the contact 6 moves out of engagement with the con-- tact I. As it moves out of engagement with the contact I, the contact 6 re-engages the contact I, and restoresthe apparatus to the condition shown in Fig. 2, so that when the contact 4 is again moved into engagement with the contact 3, the controller P will start to repeat the above described operating cycle.

As will be apparent, the controller P is adapted to raise the temperature of the batch in the kettle from its initial cold condition to a final temperature at which the mercury switch V is tilted in a clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 2, by the deflecting arm V and the circuit from contact t to the supply line I through the conductor is broken. The temperature of the batch is increased at a rate which cannot depart signiflcantly in normal operation from a predeter- V mined rate, the latter being varied by relative angular adjustments of the cams P and P The angular adjustment of the cam P relative to the cam P changes the predetermined rate- After the batch temperature has been increasedto the final temperature at which the thermometer controller tilts the mercury switch V to deenergize the contact 4, the controller P will operate to maintain the batch at approximately said final temperature for.a predetermined period and then set a pump 0A into operation for transferring the batch-from the kettle O to the storage kettle Q.

The means by which the controller P operates to maintain the batch at the final temperature for a predetermined period includes a cam operating motor PA which is set into operation when the batch has reached said final temperature. Two energizing circuits are provided for the motor PA, one of which is completed through the mercury switch W when the batch has reached its final temperature, and the other of which is completed as a result of subsequent rotation of the cam shaft PA The latter mentioned energizing circuit is thereafter maintained in a closed condition, until the end of the cycle, by means to be described hereinafter.

When the batch has reached its dual temperature the mercury switch V will be tilted in a clockwise direction about its pivot V, opening the energizing circuit to contact 4 and closing an energizing circuit to a relay PB. The relay PB includes a pivoted armature switch member PB biased gravitationally or by spring means, as desired, into a lower position, but drawn into an upper position into engagement with a contact l8 when the relay PB is energized. The energizing circuit for the relay PB includes supply conductor 5, conductor i2c, conductor i2b, conductor l2a, a mercury switch contact V con anodes:

Pa with the contact is closes the aforementioned energizing circuit to the motor PA which includes supply conductor l, conductor I20, conductor. H2, conductor Ill, armature P3 contact l8, motor winding PA, and supply conductor 2.

The motor PA rotates, through suitable reduction gearing, a cam shaft PA. carrying two cams PA and PA which are preferably so mounted on the shaft PA as to permit'relative angular adjustment of a pair of radial shoulders PA .and PA, respectively. The shaft PA rotates in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 2 and the cams are so relatively adjusted that the shoulder PA trails, or lags behind the shoulder PA. Contact members I and I. are pivoted, and gravitationally biased to bear against, or ride on, the cams PA and PAP, and are held out of engagement with each other except at the end of the cooking cycle when the contact it drops down alongside the shoulder PA and comes to rest on a low portion of the cam PA while the contact II is still resting on a high portion of the cam PA as seen in Fig. 2. On further movement of the shaft PA to a position as shown in Fig. 2 permitting contact It to drop down alongside the shoulder PA, contacts I! and I6 separate and do not reengage until the rotation of the cam shaft again permits the contact ii to drop down alongside the shoulder PA onto the adiacent low portion of cam' PA.

As the motor PA starts into operation, the contact member I! rides onto a high portion of the cam PA into engagement with a relatively fixed. contact l1, resulting in energization of a relay PC over a circuit including supply conductor l, conductor llc, conductor lZb, conductor Iii, relay PC, contact 11, contact 15, conductor H6 and supply conductor 2. The contour of the cam PA is such that once this circuit is closed it is thereafter maintained closed until the end of the cycle when the contact member II slides down alongside the shoulder PA out of engagement with the contact IT. The relay PC includes two pivoted armatures switch members P0 and PC, insulated from each other. The armatures PC and PC are pivoted intermediate their ends for rotation and are biased gravitationally or by spring means for rotation in a clockwise direction, but are rotated counterclockwise when the relay PC is energized. The armature P0 is normally held into engagement with the contact 22, but when the relay is energized, is rotated out of engagement therewith and into engagement with a contact 23. The arma- 'ture PC is adapted to cooperate with a contact 24 engaging the latter when the relay is energized. Rotation of the armature PC out of engagement with the contact 22 results in de-energization of the relay PB and thereby opening of the energizing circuit to the motor PA, but

simultaneous with the operation of the armature 'fore.- This energizing circuit for the motor PA includes the supply conductor I, conductor I20, conductor lZb, conductor H5, armature PC, contact 2A, conductor H'l, motorenergizing winding PA and supply conductor 2. The motor PA then continues to rotate the cams PA and PA until the end of the cycle when the contact members i5 and I i are separated deenergizing the relay PC.

Engagement of armature P0 with the contact at establishes a connection between contact V of mercury switch v= and the limit switch contact I 0 over conductors I9 and III. It the temperature'of the batch then rises above the desired value tilting switch V clockwise, the motor W will be energized through an energizing circuit tained, in the manner previously described.

through the'contact 1 until the arm 6 leaves the contact I and engages the contact 8 to thereby deenergize the motor. is effected by clockwise tilting of switch V", the circuit to contact 4 will be interrupted by opening of contact V so that no subsequent opening of the valve can be effected by the timing means including contacts 3 and 4 until switch-V" is tilted counterclockwise on a fall in temperature. If the temperature of the batch subsequently drops due to the valve 1" being closed, the resulting closure of the contact V energizes the contact 4, and at a point in the cycle of rotation of the cam shaft P", as shown in Fig. 2, the contact will engage the contact 3 to initiate the energization of the motor "W for opening the -valve 1 The valve I will thus be intermittently turned on and oil so long as the temperature is below the desired value and the rate of heat input under such conditions will correspond to the rate of heat input during the'heating up period so as to produce a gradual temperature rise. Such gradual temperature rise is desirable in that it minimizes over heating and consequent cycling or hunting although as will be clear the opening of valve Iiduring a greater portoin of the time that the temperature is low, may be effected by adding another armature to the relay, PC which will connect contact v of switch W with con ductor I3 when relay PC is energized and if continuous opening of valve Pis desired while the temperature is low, such armature may also simultaneously disengage contact V irom conductor I2. I

The controller P continues to operate in this manner to open and close the valve I and thereby maintain the temperature of the batch constant until the cam shaft PA has rotated through almost 360. The contact member I5 then drops down alongside the shoulder PA out of engagement with the contact I'I, resulting in deenergization of the relay PC and consequent deenergization of the motor PA. Conveniently,

the controller includes a signal element for sig--- nailing the end of the cooking cycle. This element may be in the form of an electric lamp P" connected to the supply conductors I and 2 when the cooking cycle is complete. At the end of the cooking cycle, as seen in Fig. 2, the contact It will be on a high portion of the cam PA adjacent the shoulder PA? when the contact member I5 drops down alongside the shoulder PA so that engagement of the contacts I5 and I6 results in closure of an energizing circuit to ,the lamp P". This energizing circuit includes supply conductor I, conductor .I2c, conductor I2b, conductor II 9, lamp P", contact I6, contact I5, conductor IIS and supply conductor 2.

The control of the pump CA by which the cooked size. is transferred from the kettle 0 When closure of valve 1 to the storage kettle or reservoir Q may be eflected manually or may be ei'l'ected automatically asshown in Fig. 2. Thus, as shown in Fig. 2, the closure of contacts I5 and I6 for energizing the lamp P' 'may also complete a trolled switch PD includes a float PD mounted on one end of a switch member PD" carrying a contact I20 at the other end and pivoted inter- .mediate its ends for rotation at PD, The contact I20 is adapted to cooperate with a contact I2I, disposed above the contact I20. The buoyant efiect of the size in the kettle O on the float U12) operates to maintain the contact I20 in the position shown in Fig. 2. When all the cooked size has been transferred from the kettle O to the kettle Q, however, the switch PD will rotate counterclockwise to move the-contact I20 into engagement with the contact I2I, resulting in energization of a relay PE. .The relay PE cooperates with a scissors arrangement PF and when so energized actuates the latter to impart a slight clockwise rotational impulse to the cams PA and PA for deenergizing the pump 0A and the signal lamp P" and for adjusting said cams to initiate the next size batch heating up operation.

The scissors arrangement PF comprises a pair of crossed arms PF and PF", pivoted intermediate their ends at PF", and one corresponding end of each of the arms being disposed on opposite sidesof the magnetic core of the relay PE and in inductive relation therewith. The other ends or" the arms are adapted to'cooperate with a pin PA" for clamping the latter to thereby move the pin PA" into alignment with the pivot PF and a fixed stop PF. The position of the pin PA" at the end of the cooking cycle, as the contact member I5 drops down alongside shoulder PA*, is slightly above the point of alignment with the stop PF! and pivot PF", as seen in Fig; 2, so that energization of the relay PE and resulting actuation of the scissors arrangement PF results in a slight downward movement of the pin PA".

The incident movement of the cams PA" and PA results in the contact member I6 dropping down alongside the shoulder PA" and thereby separation of the contacts I5 and IE to deenergize the pump 0A and the signal lamp P", and to adjust the cams PA" and PA for the start of a new batch heating up operation.

' As shown in Fig.2, the energization of the motor pump 0A is initiated after the cooking cycle has been completed, and the controller P is then rendered inoperative to supply heat to the kettle O by means of a relay PG which may conveniently be energized upon engagement of the contacts I5 and I6. The relay PG includes a pivoted armature I22 biased by spring means I23 into engagement with a contact I24 and drawn out of engagement therewith when the-relay is energized. The armature I22 and contact I24 are disposed in the conductor I2a which connects contacts V and V of the mercury switch V to the supply line I so that energization of the relay PG results in deenergization of the mercury switch V", and the controller P is thereby rendered inoperative to open the steam supply valve 1 The energizing'circuit for the relay PG includes the v supply conductor I conductor I2c,

conductor I2b, conductor I25, relay PG, conductor m, conductdr m, contact I0. contact II, conductor IIO and supply conductor 2. After the size has been transferred from the kettle to the kettle Q, the float controlled switch PD will be operated to close contacts I20 and I2I resulting in actuation of the scissors arrangement PF as previously described, and consequent rotational movement oirthe cams PA and PA to separate the contacts I! and I6, resulting in deenergization or the relay PG and closure of the armature I22 and contact I24 sothat the controller P is again operative.

In the event that the valve I should be open at the end of the cooking cycle after the mercury switch W has been deenergizod, means have been provided, as illustrated in Fig. 2, for energizing the contact I0' of the limit switch mechanism and thereby initiating the operation of the motor W for closing the valve 1 In order to accomplish this end, additional contacts I00 and HI have been disposed on the contact members I5 and I0 respectively, so that engagement of the latter at the end of the cooking cycle will result also in closure of the contacts I00 and III,

which are insulated from the contacts I5 and I0,-

to thereby energize the contact I0. The energizing circuit for the motor W then includes supply conductor I, conductor I2c, conductor I2b, conductor IIS, conductor I02, contact I00, contact I3I, conductor I00, conductor IIO, contact I0, contact arm 6, conductor II, motor energizing winding 17V and supply conductor-2. I

In order to prevent the controller P from operating to open the valve I when the cooked size has been transferred from the kettle O to the kettle Q, and before the kettle 0 has been filled with a new batch of size, means have been provided, for rendering the motor W inoperative,

in the form of a relay PH which conveniently is energized upon engagement of the contacts I2I and I20, the latter carried by the float arm PD". The relay PH includes a pivoted armature I20 biased gravitationally or by spring means as de-, sired into engagement with a contact I29 and drawn out of engagement therewith when the relay is energized. The armature I20 and contact I20 are disposed in the conductor II connecting the motor energizing winding W to the supply conductor 2 so that energization oi the relay renders the motor inoperative. when the kettle 0 is filled with another batch of size, the

contacts I20 and I2I disengage and the relayPH is deenergized so that the armature I20 engages the contact I20 and the motor W will again. be responsive to the controller P. r

The controller R which operates to supply steam through the pipe 13 to a heating coil in the kettle or reservoir Q, as required to maintain a constant size temperature in that kettle,

may include a motor W exactly like the motor W of Fig. 2, in form, and in respect to its operatins connections to the controlled steam valve I and in respect to its limit switch-mechanism. In the controller R, however, the alternative energize.- tion of the limit switch contacts 0 and I0 is directly controlled by the deflecting element V of a thermometer VA, which may be exactly like the thermometer V of controller P, and has its bulb V immersed in the size in the reservoir Q; The deflectingelement V of the thermometer VA serves as a contact arm which is connected by a conductor I to the supply conductor I.

On a drop in the temperature in the reservoir Q, r

the contact arm V deflects counterclockwise into engagement with a stationary contact I connected by a conductor I42 to the contact 4 of Fig. 3, whereupon the motor W of Fig. 3 operates toopenthe valveIasthemotorWoiI'igzMs operated to open the valve P by the energisation oi the contact 0, resulting from the engagement of the contacts 0 and 4. Conversely, when lol-v lowing the opening of the valve 1, the temperature of the size of the kettle Q is suitably increased. the clockwise deflection oi the contact armV of thermometer VA brings that arm into engagement with the contact I40 and thereby energizes the limit switch contact If which-is connected to the contact I40 by a conductor I44, and the motor W of controller R'then operates to close the valve 1 The controller T, shown in Fig. 4, includes a .motor W and associated limit switch provisions like those included in the controllers P and R,

to the previously mentioned steam valves P and I. The eriergization of the limit switch contacts 0 and II of the controller T are controlled, however, by the height of liquid level in the pan D. The liquid'level responsive means of the controller '1 comprise an electrode '1' in the pan D. near the bottom of the latter, and an electrode 'I' in the pan at the liquid level normally maintained therein. The electrodes '1' and '1 are insulated from one another, but are electrically connected by the size in the pan D when the size level is at its normal height, so that current then iiows between the supply conductors I and 2 through the electrode T the sire liquid, electrode 1' and a relay winding '1' through which the electrode '1 is connected to supply conductor 2.

The relay of which thewinding '1 forms apart, includes a pivoted armature switch member T biased for movement into an upper position by a spring T, but drawn down into a lower position when the winding '1" is energized. The armature T is connected to supply conductor l by a conductor I40. and when in its lower position, the armature T engages a contact I40 connected by a conductor I41 to the limit switch contact II. In the movement of the armature '1 into engagement with the contact I40, occurring when the liquid levelin pan D reachesthe desired maximum, energizes the contact llandstartsthemotorwoithecontroller 1T into operation toclose the valve 8'. On a decrease in the height of liquid level in pan D.breajkingi:hecircuitbetweentheelcctrodcs'l and 1* and deencrlill g the winding 1''. the armature'lmovesupundertheactionoiitsbias spring '1 into engagement with a contact I41 whichisconnectedbyconductorlutothelimit on tocontrolthesupplyoi'stes-rnbythepIpeIC to a heating coil in the pan D, may be exactly like the controller R of Fig. 3, and operates to open and close a valve 1' in the steam supply pipe 10. as the size temperature in pan D falls below, and rises to the predetermined temperature. The valvelmaybesimilartothevalvel adjusted by the controller R.

In the form shown in Fig. 'l the electronic moisture responsive means N for controlling the motor M which regulates the drying action of the sizing apparatus. includes a grid glow tube N.

ed, as by shielding means 3|.

The latter has its anode connected to one terminal, and its cathode 26 connected to the other. terminal of the secondary 21 of a transformer N, which has its primary winding connected between alternating supply conductors I and 2, and constitutes the power source for the moisture responsive means. The grid element 28 of the tube ,N is connected by a conductor 28 to the roller N which forms a. part of the device N, and is spring held against the portion of the warp above one of the guide rolls F, the latter having a ground connection 38. To avoid the effect of stray currents, the conductor 23 is heavily shield- A variable condenser 32 is connected between the cathode and the grid 28.

The connection between the anode 25 and the corresponding terminal of the transformer secondary 21 includes a relay winding 33 shunted by a condenser 34. when the winding 33 is energized by a suitable current flow therethrough, it attracts a pivoted armature 35 and moves the latter out of 'engagementwith a switch contact 38, against the action of a bias spring 31, and into engagement with a switch contact 33. The armature 35 serves as a switch element and is connected by a conductor 36 to the supply c'onductor 2. The contacts 38 and 39 are connected by windings 48 and 4|, respectively, to one end of a conductor 42 which is connected at its opposite end to supply conductor l. The windings 48 and 4| are the energizing windings of the motor M. The latter may be of any available reversible alternating current motor type adapted to operate in one direction when current flows through the winding 48,, and in the opposite direction when current flows through the winding 4|. In particular the motor 48 may be oi! the type described in the Shivers U. S. Patent 'No. 1,877,605 and comprising two rotor elements,

one in inductive relation with the winding 48, and the other in inductive relation with the winding 4|. As shown, the windings 48 and 4| are connected to the contacts 38 and 33 respectively, through limit switches 43 and 44, respectively, whereby the maximum movement of the motor in each direction is limited. As shown,

the tube N includes an auxiliary cathode 45 in close proximity to the anode 25 and connected to the main cathode 28 by a resistance 46, which serves to prevent the collection of electro-static charges on the glass shield (not shown) of the anode, when current is conducted by the tube.

In the'operation of the apparatus shown dia-- grammatically in Fig. ,7, there will be no anode current flow operatively energizing relay winding 33, when the resistance between the grid 28 and I the ground connection 38 is high enough to permit the grid to be sufliciently negative to prevent 31 in engagement with the contact 38, the windx ing 48 will be energized and the motor M will operate in the direction to decrease the steam supply to the drying rolls in' the arrangement shown in Fig. l, or to increase the speed of the winding 33 will then be energized bythe anode current flow, and the armature switch member-t5 -tion of the motor Mis at all times subject to the warp feed in the arrangement oi Fig-5, toreduce the size drying eflect in'each case, andto. cor-- t rectively increase the moisture content: of the warp engaged by the roller N'."

When the moisture content of the warpen- 5 gaged by the roller N rises above the desired value, the resultant increasein conductivity of. the warp, will reduce the resistance in the connection between the grid and the. ground; connection 38, and permit the current flow through that connection to increase to the critical value at which the reduced negative potential of the grid relative to the cathode potential, will permit the tube gas to be ionized, or break down. The

will be moved into-engagement with the contact 38. This will energize the winding 4| and the motor M will then operate to increase the drying efiect and suitably reduce the moisture content go 28 through roller N, the warp and the ground connection 38, required to initiate the power current flow between the cathode and anode oi the tube N, need be only a small fraction of a milliampere, and very much .smaller than the last mentioned current flow. The grid glow tube used as described, thus forms a powerful amplifier, highly effective for the control of the motor M 30 by the minute control current flowing from the grid through the ground connection 38. .While the anode current flow through the tube N createdby an increase in the grid control current toits critical value, destroys the control effect of the last mentioned current with alternating current energization, the anode current will flow through the tube only during the portion oi. each alternation period in which the anode potential is positive. In consequence, the control efl ect of the current flow through the'grid to ground connection, is restored during each alternation period, as son as the anode potential reduces to zero, so that for practical purposes, the opera- 48 control of the controlling grid current, as the latter rises to and falls below its critical tube ionizing magnitude.

The actual critical magnitude ofthe control current, and thereby the warp moisture content 5 which the apparatus tends to maintain, may be varied by adjustment of the variable condenser 32. While the anode current is pulsating, the condenser 34 in shunt with the winding 33, discharges current through the winding 33 when the anode current reduces to zero, and thus permits the coil 33 to maintain a steady magnetic pull, .and avoids chattering of the armature switch member 35. To insure a proper grid current flow to the ground connection 38, the anode 25 may beconnected to ground, or aground connection like the ground connection 5| of Fig. 8, may be made to any suitable point in the external circuit of the-tube N. However with the-arrangement shown in Fig. 5, the capacity effect of the winding '33 and of the transformer N, makes it unnecessary to provide-a second ground connection, and the omission of the latter avoids risk of accidental overloading of the tube N, such as might occur as the result of a short circuit between the roller N and the adjacent grounded guide roll F. I

I consider the circuit arrangement of Fig. '8 preferable-to that of Fig. 7, when use is made of a second ground connection. Aside from that 8 W groillld' connection, the circuit of m. a differs from *that of Fig. '1 by the inclusion of variable resistances I1, 4|, 4!, and SI, and in the connection of the variable condenser 32 between the grid 28 and the anode 25 instead of having the condenser between the grid and the cathode as it is in Fig. 7. As will be apparent with the. arrangement shown in Fig. 8, an increase in the capacitance of the condenser 32 will increase the warp-moisture content which the apparatus will tend to maintain. The resistances 41 and 48 in the connections between the transformer secondary 21 terminals and the anode and the cathode of the tube N delays the relay circuit action to an extent which may be increased and decreased by increasing and decreasing the amounts of said resistance in circuit, and thus permits of a variation in the sensitivity of the control action.

The resistances I! and 50 which respectively connect the anode 25 and cathode 28 to the common ground connection 5|,provide for rough adjustments of the moisture content control range. The resistance 49 maybe of the order of 70,000 ohms, while the resistance ill may be varied from zero to 60,000, according to installav tion characteristics as required to make mid scale adjustment of the variable condenser 32 appropriate for the normal or average operating condition in any particular installation.

The variable speed driving connection L between the drying rolls E and their driving motor J, may be of any usual or suitable type, adapted for adjustment by the reversible control motor M. As shown in Fig. 6, the said connection includes a belt L, connecting two axially adjustable cone pulleys E and E splined on the shaft E of the directly driven drum E, and two similar axially adjustable cone pulleys splined on the shaft J of the motor J. The pulleys E and J at one side of the belt L are connected by a lever IF pivoted at L midway between the shafts E and J. The other two pulleys, E and J are similarly connected by a corresponding lever L pivoted at Lr midway between the two shafts. The pulleys J'- and J are given relative movements of approach and separation by means of two levers L each pivoted between its ends on a fulcrum pivot L and each connected at one end to the corresponding pulley E or J and each pivotally connected at its opposite end to a corresponding threaded rod L. The two threaded rods L are screwed into a turn buckle L' which comprises a spur gear I. in mesh with a gear M carried by the shaft of the control motor M.

As the latter rotates in one direction as a result of a decrease in the moisture content of the warp in contact with the roller N of the controlling device N, theturn buckle 1.. is rotated in the direction to move the pulleys J and J each toward the other, and, through the levers L to correspondingly move the pulleys E and E each away from the other whereby the speed or the web is increased to reduce the drying action on, and increase the moisture content of,

the warp. Conversely, when the moisture con-- tent of the warp engaged by the roller N becomes too large, the motor M rotates in the direction to spread the pulleys J and J apart and to move the pulleys E and E closer together, and thereby decrease the web speed and increase the drying effect so as to reduce the moisture content in the warp.

In Fig. 6, one of the levers L has an end por tion L" arranged to actuate the previously mentioned limit switches 43 and N, and thus prevent operation of the motor M in either direccosity, not only contributes to the proper sizing of the warp, but also facilitates the practical sensitivity and effectiveness of the means pro- ,vided for directly controlling the moisture content of the warp, as it passes from the sizing apparatus proper to the loom beam G.

As will be apparent also, each of the controllers P, R, T and U contribute to the ultimate effect of maintaining the proper size temperature and other desirable size physical conditions in the sizing bath. The eifective and sensitive control 'of the bath level effected by the controller '1 is directly advantageous from the standpoint of the physical condition of the size, because it permits of the proper supply of size, adequately agitated or stirred up in the circulating system, without subjecting the size to excessive circulation which tends to break down and thin the size. The character of the cooked size is improved, and the risk of its deterioration in its subsequent handling is diminished; by the proper cooking insured by the operation of the controller P. The delivery of the cooked size to the storage kettle Q at the proper temperature increases the eflectiveness of the controller R in controlling the size temperature in the kettle Q, and the delivery of the size at the proper temperature to the circulating system also increases the effectiveness of the controller U in controlling the size temperature in the pan D. The different controllers thus coact to minimize variations in size temperature, which if relatively large, not only interfere with the effectiveness of the temperature control, but involve risk of overheating the size as a result of the considerable amounts of steam required to quickly raise the size to the proper temperature, following any considerable reduction in that temperature below its desired value.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes I have illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the present invention, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made inthe form of tlfe apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of my invention as set forth in the appended claims, and that some features of the present invention may sometimes be used with advantage, without a corresponding use of other features.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: K

1. In apparatus for continuously sizing material comprlsing a size bath receptacle containing sizing solution the height of which affects the sizing and subsequent drying of said material and drying rolls over which the material is continuously moved, means for regulating-the drying action to which the material is subjected by the drying rolls, and means responsive to the level of the size in said receptacle for supplying size to said receptacle as required to maintain said level approximately constant.

2. In apparatus for continuously sizing material, comprising a size bath receptacle contaim terial comprising a size receptacle containing sizing solution the temperature of which affects the sizing and subsequent drying of' said material and drying rolls over which the material is continuously moved, means for varying the drying action to which the material is subjected by the drying rolls, and means responsive to the temperature of the size in said receptacle to supply heat to the size in said receptacle as required to maintain said temperature approximately constant. v 3. In apparatus for continuously sizing material comprising a size receptacle containing sizing solution the height and temperature of which affects the sizing and subsequent drying of I said material and drying rolls over which the material is continuously moved, means for regulating the drying action to which the material is subjected by the drying rolls, means responsive to the level of the size in said receptacle for supplying size to said receptacle as required to maintain said level approximately constant, and means responsive to the temperature of the size in said receptacle to supply heat to'the size in said receptacle as required to maintain said temperature approximately constant.

4. In apparatus for continuously-sizing material comprising a size receptacle containing sizing solution the height of which affects the sizing and subsequent of said material and drying rolls over which the material is continuously moved, means for varying the drying ..action to which the material is subjected by the drying rolls, and means responsive to the level of the size in said receptacle for supplying. size to said receptacle as required to maintain said level approximately constant, said means comprising electrodes extending into said tank electrically connected and disconnected by the size in said receptacle accordingly as the size extends to or is below said level, means for maintaining a potential difierence between; said electrodes,

and means responsive to current flow between the electrodes through the size.

5. An apparatus for continuously sizing maing sizing solution the temperature of which affects the sizing and subsequent drying of said material and drying rolls'over which the material is continuously moved, means for maintaining an approximately constant amount of hot size in said receptacle at an approximately constant temperature, and means responsive to the moisture content inv the material passing away from the drying rolls ,for automatically regulating the drying action thereof as required to maintain said moisture content approximately. constant.

6. An apparatus for cortinuously sizing material, comprising a size bath receptacle containing sizing solution. the temperature of which affects the sizing and subsequent drying of said material and drying rolls over which the material is continuously moved, means for maintaining said size bath at an approximately constant temperature, meansrotating said rolls at an approximately constant speed, and means responsive to the moisturecontent in the material passing away from the drying rolls for automatically regulating the heating of said rolls as required to maintain said moisture content approximately constant.

7. An'apparatus for continuously sizing material, comprising a size bath receptacle containing sizing solution the amount and temperature of which afiects the sizing and subsequent drying of said material and drying rolls over which the material is continuously moved, means for maintaining an approximately constant amount of hot size in' said receptacle at an approximately constant temperature, means for heating said rolls to an approximately constant temperature, and means responsive to the moisture content in the material passing away from the drying rolls for automatically regulating the rate of material movement through said bath and over content approximately constant.

' RICHARD P. HAWKINS. 

